Systems and Methods for Location Reporting of Detected Events in Vehicle Operation

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for location reporting of detected events during vehicle operation in accordance embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, an event reporting telematics unit configured to report the location of events includes a first sensor configured to determine sensor information, a storage device configured to store sensor information and an event reporting application, and a processor, wherein the event reporting application configures the processor to receive a first sensor information using the first sensor, calculate a first sensor information timestamp, where the first sensor information timestamp is associated with the first sensor information, determine the occurrence of a vehicle event, complete the determination of the vehicle event, correlate the first sensor information with the determined event using the first sensor information timestamp, and determine the time corresponding to the beginning of the determined event.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/729,702, filed Dec. 28, 2012 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,406,222 on Aug. 2, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/715,715, filed on Oct. 18, 2012, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to event detection in vehicleoperation and more specifically to accurately reporting the location ofthe vehicle at the time the detected event begins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global navigationsatellite system that utilizes a network of geo-synchronous satellitesthat can be utilized by a GPS receiver to determine its location. Manytelematics systems incorporate a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver, which can be used to obtain the location of a vehicle at acertain measured time. By comparing the location of a vehicle at aplurality of measured times, the speed of the vehicle can be determined.The acceleration of the vehicle can be determined as the change in speeddivided by the time between the measurements. A GPS receiver's abilityto determine acceleration can be limited due to the dependence of themeasurement upon factors such as reception and satellite availability.In addition to location information, a GPS receiver can also beconfigured to provide time data.

Telematics is the integrated use of telecommunications and informatics.Telematics units are installed in vehicles to provide a variety oftelematics functionality in the vehicle. This functionality includes,but is not limited to, emergency warning systems, navigationfunctionality, safety warnings, and automated driving assistance.Telematics units are also capable of recording data related to theoperation of the vehicle and providing that information for analysis,whether in real-time or during a time when the vehicle is beingserviced. This information can be used in a variety of applications,such as fleet tracking, shipment tracking, insurance calculations, andin vehicle management and service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods for location reporting of detected events duringvehicle operation in accordance embodiments of the invention aredisclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, an event reportingtelematics unit configured to report the location of events includes afirst sensor configured to determine sensor information, a storagedevice configured to store sensor information and an event reportingapplication, and a processor, wherein the event reporting applicationconfigures the processor to receive a first sensor information using thefirst sensor, calculate a first sensor information timestamp, where thefirst sensor information timestamp is associated with the first sensorinformation, determine the occurrence of a vehicle event, complete thedetermination of the vehicle event, correlate the first sensorinformation with the determined event using the first sensor informationtimestamp, and determine the time corresponding to the beginning of thedetermined event.

In an additional embodiment of the invention, the event reportingtelematics unit includes a second sensor configured to determine sensorinformation and the event reporting application further configures theprocessor to receive a second sensor information using the secondsensor, calculate a second sensor information timestamp, where thesecond sensor information timestamp is associated with the second sensorinformation, and correlate the second sensor information with thedetermined event using the second sensor information timestamp.

In another embodiment of the invention, the event reporting applicationfurther configures the processor to determine the location correspondingto the beginning of the vehicle event using the information selectedfrom the group including the first sensor information timestamp and thesecond sensor information timestamp.

In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, the first vehiclesensor and the second vehicle sensor are selected from the groupincluding an accelerometer, an airbag deployment sensor, a vibrationsensor, a compass, a voltage measuring sensor, a resistance measuringsensor, a current measuring sensor, an impact sensor, and a temperaturesensor.

In still another additional embodiment of the invention, the eventreporting telematics unit further includes a Global Positioning System(GPS) receiver and the event reporting application further configuresthe processor to determine a first location using the GPS receiver,calculate a first location timestamp, where the first location timestampis associated with the determined first location, and determine thelocation corresponding to the beginning of the determined event usingthe first location and the first location timestamp.

In yet still another additional embodiment of the invention, the eventreporting application further configures the processor to determine thelocation corresponding to the beginning of the determined event byperforming a dead reckoning process using the first location, the firstlocation timestamp, the first sensor information, and the first sensorinformation timestamp.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the event reportingapplication further configures the processor to determine a plurality oflocations using the GPS receiver, calculate a plurality of locationtimestamps corresponding to one or more of the plurality of locations,and estimate the location corresponding to the beginning of thedetermined event using at least one of the plurality of locationtimestamps and at least one of the plurality of locations.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the event reportingapplication further configures the processor to determine the locationcorresponding to the beginning of the determined event using the firstlocation timestamp and at least one of the plurality of locationtimestamps.

In yet still another embodiment of the invention, the event reportingapplication further configures the processor to calculate the firstsensor information timestamp when the first sensor information exceeds athreshold value.

In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, the eventreporting telematics unit further includes a communications device andthe event reporting application further configures the processor totransmit the determined vehicle event using the communications device.

Still another embodiment of the invention includes a method forreporting the location of detected events including receiving a firstsensor information using an event reporting telematics unit, calculatinga first sensor information timestamp using the event reportingtelematics unit, where the first sensor information timestamp isassociated with the first sensor information, determining the occurrenceof a vehicle event using the event reporting telematics unit, completingthe determination of the vehicle event using the event reportingtelematics unit, correlating the first sensor information with thedetermined event using the first sensor information timestamp and theevent reporting telematics unit, and determining the beginning of thevehicle event using the event reporting telematics unit.

In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, reporting thelocation of detected events further includes receiving a second sensorinformation using the event reporting telematics unit, calculating asecond sensor information timestamp using the event reporting telematicsunit, where the second sensor information timestamp is associated withthe second sensor information, and correlating the second sensorinformation with the determined event using the second sensorinformation timestamp and the event reporting telematics unit.

In still another additional embodiment of the invention, reporting thelocation of detected events further includes determining the locationcorresponding to the beginning of the vehicle event using theinformation selected from the group including the first sensorinformation timestamp and the second sensor information timestamp.

In yet still another additional embodiment of the invention, the firstvehicle sensor and the second vehicle sensor are selected from the groupincluding an accelerometer, an airbag deployment sensor, a vibrationsensor, a compass, a voltage measuring sensor, a resistance measuringsensor, a current measuring sensor, an impact sensor, and a temperaturesensor.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, reporting the location ofdetected events further includes determining a first location using theevent reporting telematics unit, calculating a first location timestampusing the event reporting telematics unit, where the first locationtimestamp is associated with the determined first location, anddetermining the location corresponding to the beginning of thedetermined event using the first location, the first location timestamp,and the event reporting telematics unit.

In still another embodiment of the invention, reporting the location ofdetected events further includes determining the location correspondingto the beginning of the determined event by performing a dead reckoningprocess using the first location, the first location timestamp, thefirst sensor information, the first sensor information timestamp, andthe event reporting telematics unit.

In yet still another embodiment of the invention, reporting the locationof detected events further includes determining a plurality of locationsusing the event reporting telematics unit, calculating a plurality oflocation timestamps corresponding to one or more of the plurality oflocations using the event reporting telematics unit, and estimating thelocation corresponding to the beginning of the determined event using atleast one of the plurality of location timestamps, at least one of theplurality of locations, and the event reporting telematics unit.

In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, reporting thelocation of detected events further includes determining the locationcorresponding to the beginning of the determined event using the firstlocation timestamp, at least one of the plurality of locationtimestamps, and the event reporting telematics unit.

In still another additional embodiment of the invention, reporting thelocation of detected events further includes calculating the firstsensor information timestamp using the event reporting telematics unitwhen the first sensor information exceeds a threshold value.

In yet still another additional embodiment of the invention, reportingthe location of detected events further includes transmitting thedetermined vehicle event using the event reporting telematics unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a telematics system with a vehicleincluding an event reporting telematics unit in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates an event reporting telematics unitconfigured to perform location reporting of detected events inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for location reporting ofdetected events in vehicle operation in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process for reporting detectedevents based upon acceleration of a vehicle in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for correlating an inputchange to a detected event in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a process for collision detection inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, systems and methods for reporting thelocation of detected events during the operation of a vehicle inaccordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated.Information related to the operation of a vehicle, including informationconcerning vehicle speed and acceleration, provides insight into driverbehavior. Driver behaviors include, but are not limited to, performinghard cornering, excessive speeding, and suddenly stopping while driving.Vehicle behaviors include, but are not limited to, ignition detection,engine performance, braking performance, fuel economy, the location ofthe vehicle, the speed of the vehicle, and emission information.

In accordance with many embodiments of the invention, vehicle speed canbe calculated using information provided by a Global Position System(GPS) receiver by dividing the distance traveled by the GPS receiver bythe time between measurements taken by the GPS receiver. In severalembodiments, the GPS receiver is configured to determine velocityinformation using the signals received by the GPS receiver. A GPSreceiver can determine velocity information in a variety of ways inaccordance with embodiments of the invention, including, but not limitedto, measuring the Doppler shift of the received signals. The differencesin vehicle speed between measurements taken by the GPS receiver can beused to determine acceleration information for the vehicle. GPSreceivers are also capable of determining the location of a vehicleand/or the heading of the vehicle utilizing the received signals.

A variety of devices other than GPS receivers can be utilized invehicles to determine information related to the vehicle, such as speed,acceleration, and heading. For example, acceleration information for avehicle can be measured using an accelerometer, which are ofteninstalled on a vehicle or mobile device. Heading information can bedetermined using a compass. Vibration information can be determinedusing acceleration information taken using an acceleration sensor.Systems and methods for calibrating a 3-axis accelerometer which can beutilized to determine vibration information in accordance with a varietyof embodiments of the invention is disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/622,844, titled “Systems and Methods for 3-AxisAccelerometer Calibration” and filed Sep. 19, 2012, the entirety ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference. Other devices notspecifically described above can be utilized to measure or detectinformation relevant to the operation of a vehicle in accordance withembodiments of the invention. In several embodiments, the measuredand/or detected information is utilized to detect events occurring inthe operation of the vehicle.

Event reporting telematics units in accordance with embodiments of theinvention are configured to measure and record a variety of data, suchas, but not limited to, speed, acceleration, location, and headinginformation. This data can be processed in order to detect eventsregarding the operation of the vehicle, both to determine the behaviorof the vehicle itself and the behavior of the driver of the vehicle.However, the detected events can occur over a period of time; likewise,the data corresponding to the detected event also spans a period oftime. With traditional telematics units, this can result in certaindata, such as the location of the vehicle when the detected eventbegins, not being available, or not being accurately reported as part ofthe information captured by the event reporting telematics unit. In manyembodiments, event reporting telematics units are configured to recordinformation captured during the operation of a vehicle and store theinformation for later processing, including detecting the occurrence ofevents and determining the location for the beginning of the event usingthe recorded data. In a variety of embodiments, event reportingtelematics units are configured to detect events and/or determine thelocation of the detected event in real time. In several embodiments,event reporting telematics units are configured to transmit the recordeddata, either in real-time or after the data has been recorded, to aremote server system for processing. Event reporting telematics units inaccordance with embodiments of the invention are configured to determinewhen a detectable event is occurring and record the location of thevehicle at the start of the detected event. In several embodiments,event reporting telematics units are configured to determine thelocation of the vehicle at the start of the detected event by filteringdata received by the event reporting telematics unit. In a number ofembodiments, event reporting telematics units associate time informationwith the location of the vehicle.

In many embodiments of the invention, event reporting telematics unitsare configured to detect a plurality of events, where each event canhave its own set of measured information indicating that the event hasoccurred. In a variety of embodiments, event reporting telematics unitsassociate timestamps indicating the time the event is detected with theevent. The parameters of the set of measured information can be storedby the event reporting telematics unit in a variety of ways, including,but not limited to, event detection profiles. In a number ofembodiments, event reporting telematics units are configured to collectinformation and report events on the event reporting telematics unititself. In several embodiments, event reporting telematics units areconfigured to record the data to be later transmitted and processedusing a different computing device, such as a server system or atechnician's service computer.

Systems and methods for event reporting telematics units and determiningthe location of detected events in the operation of a vehicle inaccordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed furtherbelow.

Telematics System Overview

Event reporting telematics units are installed in vehicles to measureand record the behavior of the vehicle in operation. A conceptualillustration of a vehicle with an event reporting telematics unitinstalled is conceptually illustrated in FIG. 1. The telematics system100 includes a vehicle 110 with an installed event reporting telematicsunit. The vehicle 110 can receive signals from GPS satellites 120received using a GPS receiver in the event reporting telematics unit andcan communicate with server systems 130 and/or a service computer 132using the event reporting telematics unit.

In many embodiments, the event reporting telematics unit installed invehicle 110 contains a GPS receiver. In these embodiments, the vehicle110 can receive signals from GPS satellites 120 in order to determinethe location, speed, and/or heading of the vehicle 110. In severalembodiments, the event reporting telematics unit is configured todetermine location using a location reporting device other than a GPSreceiver, such as, but not limited to, using cellular towertriangulation to determine the location of the vehicle 110. Similarly,speed information can be determined using accelerometers or other speeddetection devices, while heading information can be determined using acompass or other heading detection device in accordance with a number ofembodiments of the invention.

In several embodiments, the event reporting telematics unit installed inthe vehicle 110 is configured to upload data to a server system 130and/or service computer 132. The vehicle 110 can transmit data to theserver system 130 and/or service computer 132 in a variety of ways, suchas via a cellular data connection or via a wireless or wired networkconnection. In a number of embodiments, the vehicle transmits data tothe server system 130 and/or service computer via a direct connection.In a variety of embodiments, the vehicle is configured to transmit datato the server system 130 and/or service computer 132 via a network 140,such as the Internet. A number of networks may be utilized in accordancewith the requirements of embodiments of the invention. In manyembodiments, the vehicle 110 is configured to transmit data to theserver system 130 and/or service computer 132 via a vehicle data bus. Ina number of embodiments, server system 130 and/or service computer 132are configured to detect events using the data recorded using the eventreporting telematics unit. In many embodiments, the vehicle 110 isconfigured to transmit detected events to the server system 130 and/orservice computer 132. In several embodiments, the vehicle 110 receivesevent detection profiles via the server system 130 and/or servicecomputer 132. The vehicle 110 utilizes these event detection profiles toconfigure the event reporting telematics unit installed in the vehicle110 to detect the events defined in the received profiles.

Telematics systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention aredescribed above with respect to FIG. 1; however, a variety of telematicssystems can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention.Systems and methods for location reporting of vehicular events usingevent reporting telematics units in accordance with embodiments of theinvention are described below.

Event Reporting Telematics Unit Architecture

Event reporting telematics units are utilized in vehicles to determine,record, and/or report detected events related to behavior of theoperation of a vehicle and to accurately determine the location of thosedetected events. An event reporting telematics unit in accordance withan embodiment of the invention is conceptually illustrated in FIG. 2.The event reporting telematics unit 200 includes a processor 210. Theprocessor 210 is configured to detect an event and determine an accuratelocation corresponding to the detected event. In several embodiments,the processor 210 is configured to accumulate data related to a detectedevent for later analysis or transmission to a separate device. In manyembodiments, the processor 210 is configured to detect multiple events.In a number of embodiments, the processor 210 is configured using eventdetection profiles to determine when an event has been detected.

The processor 210 is in communication with a first vehicle sensor 220.In many embodiments, the processor 210 is in communication with one ormore additional vehicle sensors 230. The first vehicle sensor 220 andthe one or more additional vehicle sensors 230 can include, but are notlimited to, GPS receivers, accelerometers, compasses, altimeters, impactdetection sensors, temperature sensors, and vibration sensors. Theprocessor 210 is configured to detect events using data received usingthe first vehicle sensor 220. In many embodiments, the processor 210 isconfigured to detect events using data received using one or more of theadditional vehicle sensors 230. In a number of embodiments, theprocessor 210 is configured to correlate data received using the firstvehicle sensor 210 with data received using one or more of theadditional vehicle sensors 230. In several embodiments, the processor210 is configured to determine location information using the firstvehicle sensor 210 based on information received using the first vehiclesensor 210 and/or one or more additional vehicle sensors 230.

The processor 210 is connected to a storage device 212 configured tostore information related to a detected event, including informationcollected using the first vehicle sensor 220 and/or the additionalvehicle sensors 230. In several embodiments, the storage device 212 isconfigured to store event detection profiles. In many embodiments, theprocessor 210 stores the location of detected events using the storagedevice 212. In a number of embodiments, the processor 210 stores severallocations using the storage device 212 for later correlation withcollected information. In many embodiments, the storage device 212 isconfigured to store a software application that configures the processor210 to perform event detection with accurate location reporting.

In several embodiments, the processor 210 is connected to acommunication interface 214. In accordance with embodiments,communication interface 214 includes, but is not limited to, vehicle businterfaces, cellular data radios, Ethernet interfaces, wireless networkinterfaces, universal serial bus (USB) interfaces, and serialinterfaces. In a number of embodiments, the processor 210 is configuredto transmit detected events using the communication interface 214. Inmany embodiments, the processor 210 is configured to transmitinformation measured using the first vehicle sensor 220 and/or theadditional vehicle sensors 230 using the communication interface 214. Ina number of embodiments, the processor 210 is configured to transmitdata using the communication interface 214 in real-time. In severalembodiments, the processor 210 is configured to transmit data using thecommunication interface 214 on a schedule. In many embodiments, theprocessor 210 is configured to transmit data using the communicationinterface 214 upon receiving a request to transmit data. In a number ofembodiments, the processor 210 is configured to receive event detectionprofiles using the communication interface 214.

A number of event reporting telematics units in accordance withembodiments of the invention are described above with respect to FIG. 2;however, a variety of event reporting telematics units can be utilizedin accordance with embodiments of the invention. Processes for locationreporting of detected events in the operation of a vehicle in accordancewith embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.

Location Reporting of Detected Events

In order to accurately determine the location of a detected eventoccurs, event reporting telematics units record the location of thevehicle at the start of the detected event with a certain degree ofaccuracy. A process for determining the location for the start of adetected event is illustrated in FIG. 3. The process 300 includesreceiving (310) one or more factors related to the operation of thevehicle. Event detection begins (312). The event detection completes(314). The factors are correlated (316) to the detected event. Thelocation of the start of the detected event is determined (318).

In many embodiments, the received (310) factors related to the operationof the vehicle include, but are not limited to, location information,speed, heading information, acceleration information, and ignitionstatus. In a variety of embodiments, a timestamp is associated with oneor more of the received (310) factors. In several embodiments, eventdetection begins (312) once one or more of the received (310) factorsexceed a threshold value; the threshold value can be pre-determinedand/or determined dynamically. In many embodiments, a timestamp isassociated with the beginning (312) of the event detection. In a numberof embodiments, multiple event detections can begin (312) using the samereceived (310) factors. In many embodiments, event detection completes(314) once one or more of the received (310) factors fall below athreshold value. In a variety of embodiments, a timestamp is associatedwith the completion (314) of the event detection. Correlating (316)factors includes filtering the received (310) factors in manyembodiments of the invention. In several embodiments, correlating (316)received factors includes comparing timestamps associated with thefactors. In a number of embodiments, determining (318) the location ofthe detected event utilizes the correlated (316) factors and/ortimestamps associated with the factors. In many embodiments, beginning(312) event detection includes recording the location of the vehicle atthat time and/or the time the location is recorded; this recordedlocation is the determined (318) location for the detected event. In avariety of embodiments, determining (318) the location for the detectedevent includes performing dead reckoning using the recorded locationand/or the time the location was recorded.

In several embodiments, the received (310) factors are related todetermining if a vehicle is traveling at a rate of speed exceeding athreshold value; the threshold value can be determined dynamically, suchas based on weather conditions or location, or pre-determined. In manyembodiments, the received (310) factors are related to determining if avehicle has crossed a physical boundary. In a variety of embodiments,the received (310) factors are related to determining if a vehicle hasdeviated from a route; the route can be determined dynamically or bepre-determined. A number of factors can be correlated (316) with adetected event, including, but not limited to, the speed of a vehicleover a period of time, the acceleration of a vehicle over a period oftime, the location of the vehicle at one or more points in time, thealtitude of the vehicle over a period of time, the voltage, resistance,or current associated with one or more sensors, busses, and/or inputs inthe vehicle, and/or data received via one or more sensors installed inthe vehicle. Other factors not specifically listed can be utilized inaccordance with a variety of embodiments of the invention.

Although specific processes for determining the location of a detectedevent are discussed above with respect to FIG. 3, any of a variety ofprocesses, including those that obtain information related to thelocation, velocity, and/or acceleration of a vehicle, can be performedin accordance with embodiments of the invention. Processes for thelocation reporting of detected acceleration events in accordance withembodiments of the invention are discussed below.

Location Reporting of Detected Acceleration Events

Many events detected by event reporting telematics units during theoperation of a vehicle correspond to vehicle behaviors including asudden acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. A process fordetermining the location for the start of a detected event based uponacceleration information is illustrated in FIG. 4. The process 400includes detecting (410) acceleration exceeding an accelerationthreshold value. Location information is determined (412). Speedinformation is determined (414). Heading information is determined(416). When the detected (418) acceleration falls below the accelerationthreshold value, the duration of the acceleration is calculated (420).If the calculated (420) acceleration duration falls within (422) anacceleration duration window, an event report is generated (424) and theprocess completes. If the calculated acceleration duration does not fallwithin an acceleration duration window, an event report is not generated(424).

In several embodiments, the determined (412) location information,determined (414) speed information, and/or the determined (416) headinginformation is associated with a timestamp indicating the time thelocation information, speed information, and/or heading information wasdetermined. In many embodiments, the acceleration threshold and/or theacceleration duration window is determined dynamically. In severalembodiments, the acceleration threshold and/or the acceleration durationwindow is pre-determined. A number of embodiments of the inventioninclude a plurality of acceleration thresholds and/or accelerationduration windows. In many embodiments, the acceleration threshold and/orthe acceleration duration window is provided by an event detectionprofile. In a variety of embodiments, detecting (410) accelerationexceeding a threshold value and/or detecting (418) acceleration below athreshold value is associated with a timestamp at the time the thresholdvalue is exceeded. In several embodiments, the generated (424) reportincludes the location information determined (412) at the beginning ofthe detected event. In a number of embodiments, the generated (424)report includes filtered location information generated using thedetermined (412) location information, determined (414) speedinformation, and/or determined (416) heading information. In a varietyof embodiments, the generated (424) report includes an event start timedetermined using the timestamps associated with the determined (412)location information, determined (414) speed information, and/ordetermined (416) heading information.

Specific processes for determining the location for the start of adetected event based upon acceleration information are discussed abovewith respect to FIG. 4; however, a variety of processes, including thosethat obtain information other than location, speed, and headinginformation, can be performed in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. Processes for correlating vehicular factors with detectedevents in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussedbelow.

Location Reporting of Detected Input Changes

Many events involving a vehicle that can be detected using eventreporting telematics units are indicated by a change in an input oroutput (I/O) of the vehicle. However, not every I/O change correspondsto an event and the event may not be detected within a time thresholdcorresponding to when the I/O changes. A process for correlating changesin I/O in a vehicle to detected events in illustrated in FIG. 5. Theprocess 500 includes detecting (510) an I/O change. An event is detected(512). The completion of the event is determined (514). A determinationis made if the I/O change is related (516) to the detected event. If theevent is related (516) to the I/O change, the event is correlated (518)with the I/O change.

In many embodiments, the detected (510) I/O change is related to theignition state of the vehicle. Systems and methods for determiningignition state for a vehicle are disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/917,234, titled “Systems and Methods for Virtual IgnitionDetection” and filed Nov. 1, 2010, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference. In a number of embodiments, the detected(510) I/O change is a change in voltage. In several embodiments, thedetected (510) I/O change is a change in the current of an input and/oran output. In a variety of embodiments, the detected (510) I/O change isa change in the resistance of an input and/or an output. A variety ofdetected (510) I/O changes not specifically described can be utilized inaccordance with the requirements of many embodiments of the invention.In many embodiments, a timestamp is associated with one or more detected(510) I/O changes. In a number of embodiments, detecting (512) an eventand/or determining (514) if the I/O change is related to the event canbe performed utilizing a process described above with respect to FIG. 3;other processes can be utilized in accordance with a variety ofembodiments of the invention. In a number of embodiments, timestampsassociated with a detected (510) I/O change are utilized in detecting(512) an event and/or determining (514) if the I/O change is related tothe event. In accordance with a number of embodiments, a detected (512)event includes one or more factors, where the factors describeconditions corresponding to the detected (512) event. In manyembodiments, an I/O change is related (516) to an event if the I/Ochange is a factor in the event. In a variety of embodiments, thedetected (510) I/O change occurs before the event is detected (512). Inseveral embodiments, correlating (518) an I/O change with an eventincludes determining that the start of the detected (512) event iswithin a threshold value of the detected (510) I/O change. Thisthreshold value can be determined dynamically or pre-determined. In anumber of embodiments, correlating (518) an I/O change with an eventincludes associating a factor related to the I/O change and/or atimestamp associated with the I/O change with the event.

Specific processes for correlating I/O changes in a vehicle withdetected events is described above with respect to FIG. 5; however, avariety of processes can be performed in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention. Processes for correlating information with a collisionevent in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussedbelow.

Location Reporting of Collision Events

When a collision occurs, a variety of data can be captured by sensorsinstalled in a vehicle. Data relevant to a collision can be capturedbefore the collision occurs by an event reporting telematics unit. Aprocess for the location reporting of collisions events in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. Theprocess 600 includes detecting (610) a sudden stop in a variety ofembodiments. Crash information is detected (612). A collision event isdetermined (614). The collision event is correlated (616) with thesudden stop.

In many embodiments, a sudden stop is detected (610) by measuring theacceleration of the vehicle using an acceleration sensor. In a varietyof embodiments, a sudden stop is detected (610) by measuring thelocation of the vehicle using a location determination device. Othermethods for determining a sudden stop not specifically described can beutilized in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention. Ina number of embodiments, a timestamp is associated with the detected(610) sudden stop. In several embodiments, crash information is detected(612) via one or more sensors, including, but not limited to, airbagdeployment sensors, impact sensors, orientation sensors, and locationsensors. In many embodiments, crash information can be detected (612)utilizing acceleration information captured using a 3-axisaccelerometer. Systems and methods for calibrating and measuringacceleration information are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/622,844, incorporated by reference above. Other sensors notspecifically listed can be utilized in accordance with a variety ofembodiments of the invention. In a number of embodiments, a timestamp isassociated with the detected (612) crash information. A variety ofprocesses can be utilized to determine (614) if a collision event hasoccurred in accordance with many embodiments of the invention,including, but not limited to, the processes described above withrespect to FIG. 3. In a variety of embodiments, determining (614) if acollision event has occurred includes detecting (610) if the vehicle hassuddenly stopped. In many embodiments, a timestamp is associated withthe determined (614) collision event. In several embodiments,determining the location of the crash event includes correlating (616)the detected (614) collision event with the detected (612) collisioninformation includes correlating (616) detected (612) collisioninformation occurring prior to the detected (610) sudden stop. Inseveral embodiments, correlating (616) the detected (614) collisionevent with the detected (612) collision information utilizes thelocation of the detected (610) sudden stop and/or timestamps associatedwith the detected (614) collision event, the detected (612) collisioninformation, and/or the detected (610) sudden stop.

Specific processes for determining the location for the start of acollision event based upon acceleration information are discussed abovewith respect to FIG. 6; however, a variety of processes can be performedin accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Although the present invention has been described in certain specificaspects, many additional modifications and variations would be apparentto those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that thepresent invention can be practiced otherwise than specifically describedwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.Thus, embodiments of the present invention should be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the scope ofthe invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated,but by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An event reporting telematics unit configured toreport the location of events, comprising: a first sensor configured todetermine sensor information; a storage device configured to storesensor information and an event reporting application; and a processor;wherein the event reporting application configures the processor to:receive a first sensor information using the first sensor; calculate afirst sensor information timestamp, where the first sensor informationtimestamp is associated with the first sensor information; determine theoccurrence of a vehicle event; complete the determination of the vehicleevent; correlate the first sensor information with the determined eventusing the first sensor information timestamp; and determine the timecorresponding to the beginning of the determined event.
 2. The eventreporting telematics unit of claim 1, further comprising: a secondsensor configured to determine sensor information; and wherein the eventreporting application further configures the processor to: receive asecond sensor information using the second sensor; calculate a secondsensor information timestamp, where the second sensor informationtimestamp is associated with the second sensor information; andcorrelate the second sensor information with the determined event usingthe second sensor information timestamp.
 3. The event reportingtelematics unit of claim 2, wherein the event reporting applicationfurther configures the processor to determine the location correspondingto the beginning of the vehicle event using the information selectedfrom the group consisting of the first sensor information timestamp andthe second sensor information timestamp.
 4. The event reportingtelematics unit of claim 2, wherein the first vehicle sensor and thesecond vehicle sensor are selected from the group consisting of anaccelerometer, an airbag deployment sensor, a vibration sensor, acompass, a voltage measuring sensor, a resistance measuring sensor, acurrent measuring sensor, an impact sensor, and a temperature sensor. 5.The event reporting telematics unit of claim 1, further comprising: aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) receiver; and wherein the eventreporting application further configures the processor to: determine afirst location using the GPS receiver; calculate a first locationtimestamp, where the first location timestamp is associated with thedetermined first location; and determine the location corresponding tothe beginning of the determined event using the first location and thefirst location timestamp.
 6. The event reporting telematics unit ofclaim 5, wherein the event reporting application further configures theprocessor to determine the location corresponding to the beginning ofthe determined event by performing a dead reckoning process using thefirst location, the first location timestamp, the first sensorinformation, and the first sensor information timestamp.
 7. The eventreporting telematics unit of claim 5, wherein the event reportingapplication further configures the processor to: determine a pluralityof locations using the GPS receiver; calculate a plurality of locationtimestamps corresponding to one or more of the plurality of locations;and estimate the location corresponding to the beginning of thedetermined event using at least one of the plurality of locationtimestamps and at least one of the plurality of locations.
 8. The eventreporting telematics unit of claim 7, wherein the event reportingapplication further configures the processor to determine the locationcorresponding to the beginning of the determined event using the firstlocation timestamp and at least one of the plurality of locationtimestamps.
 9. The event reporting telematics unit of claim 1, whereinthe event reporting application further configures the processor tocalculate the first sensor information timestamp when the first sensorinformation exceeds a threshold value.
 10. The event reportingtelematics unit of claim 1, further comprising: a communications device;wherein the event reporting application further configures the processorto transmit the determined vehicle event using the communicationsdevice.
 11. A method for reporting the location of detected events,comprising: receiving a first sensor information using an eventreporting telematics unit; calculating a first sensor informationtimestamp using the event reporting telematics unit, where the firstsensor information timestamp is associated with the first sensorinformation; determining the occurrence of a vehicle event using theevent reporting telematics unit; completing the determination of thevehicle event using the event reporting telematics unit; correlating thefirst sensor information with the determined event using the firstsensor information timestamp and the event reporting telematics unit;and determining the beginning of the vehicle event using the eventreporting telematics unit.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: receiving a second sensor information using the eventreporting telematics unit; calculating a second sensor informationtimestamp using the event reporting telematics unit, where the secondsensor information timestamp is associated with the second sensorinformation; and correlating the second sensor information with thedetermined event using the second sensor information timestamp and theevent reporting telematics unit.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising determining the location corresponding to the beginning ofthe vehicle event using the information selected from the groupconsisting of the first sensor information timestamp and the secondsensor information timestamp.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein thefirst vehicle sensor and the second vehicle sensor are selected from thegroup consisting of an accelerometer, an airbag deployment sensor, avibration sensor, a compass, a voltage measuring sensor, a resistancemeasuring sensor, a current measuring sensor, an impact sensor, and atemperature sensor.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:determining a first location using the event reporting telematics unit;calculating a first location timestamp using the event reportingtelematics unit, where the first location timestamp is associated withthe determined first location; and determining the locationcorresponding to the beginning of the determined event using the firstlocation, the first location timestamp, and the event reportingtelematics unit.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprisingdetermining the location corresponding to the beginning of thedetermined event by performing a dead reckoning process using the firstlocation, the first location timestamp, the first sensor information,the first sensor information timestamp, and the event reportingtelematics unit.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:determining a plurality of locations using the event reportingtelematics unit; calculating a plurality of location timestampscorresponding to one or more of the plurality of locations using theevent reporting telematics unit; and estimating the locationcorresponding to the beginning of the determined event using at leastone of the plurality of location timestamps, at least one of theplurality of locations, and the event reporting telematics unit.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising determining the locationcorresponding to the beginning of the determined event using the firstlocation timestamp, at least one of the plurality of locationtimestamps, and the event reporting telematics unit.
 19. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising calculating the first sensor informationtimestamp using the event reporting telematics unit when the firstsensor information exceeds a threshold value.
 20. The method of claim11, further comprising transmitting the determined vehicle event usingthe event reporting telematics unit.